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FOOD - DRINK - FUN

Mountain View News Saturday, April 12, 2025


THE TASTING ROOM

MADREMAIZ – WHERE 
THE GAME NEVER ENDS

“Hi again, everybody, and welcome to today’s 
culinary broadcast. We’re coming to you live 
from a small but mighty corner of town—
home to flavor, heart, and a lineup that’s 
ready to play ball. The name of the stadium? 
MadreMaiz.”

Top of the First – I step up to the counter. No menus in the dugout—just a chalkboard, 
a friendly cashier, and a crowd that knows exactly what they’re doing. My first at-bat? 
An unlikely choice: French fries. Yes, I ordered fries at a Mexican restaurant. And to 
my surprise, they’re hand-cut daily and priced at just $5.95—a real steal in this economy. 
They’re not trying to be In-N-Out, but in their own way? They’re a homerun. Pro 
tip: eat 'em quick. Like a Clayton Kershaw fastball, they lose their heat fast—though 
these fries have more follow-through than some of his postseason starts.

Bottom of the Second – I consult with the cashier, my coach for this round. "What’s 
your go-to?” I ask. No hesitation: Birria Torta. For you minor leaguers, that’s a Mexican 
sandwich—grilled bread, shredded beef, lettuce, and a flavor profile that swings 
like a big-league bat. This isn’t your abuela’s goat birria—it’s beefy, rich, and just saucy 
enough to make you reach for a napkin. Somewhere between a burrito and a panini, 
and all delicious.

Top of the Third – She recommends the street tacos too, with a warning: “These are 
our idea of street tacos—they’re a little bigger than what you might expect.” And she’s 
right. They arrive like heavy hitters—thick tortillas, hearty fillings, no shortcuts. It’s 
been a while since I’ve been to Mexico City, but these flavors bring back the sounds of 
clinking glasses and sizzling grills.

Mid-Game Note – The restaurant is tiny. Like, Wrigley Field’s visitor locker room 
tiny. They're working on finishing the patio, and here’s my only complaint: get some 
fans out there! No, not cheering fans—blowing fans. It’s hot, and unless you ordered 
tequila or a cold cerveza, you might be reaching for Pasadena’s finest: tap water.

Bottom of the Ninth – The fries are cold now, but that’s on me. I got distracted by flavor, 
conversation, and the slow, satisfying pace of a meal made with care. MadreMaiz 
isn’t fancy, it’s not flashy—it’s just right.

IN SUMMARY

MadreMaiz hits all the marks of a great local player: confidence, hustle, and the kind 
of team spirit you can taste. Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned vet of the LA food 
scene, this is one lineup worth watching.

Peter’s Scorecard: 8.5 out of 10

MVP: Birria Torta

Sleeper Pick: Those fries—if you catch ’em hot

Play of the Day: That upsell on the tacos. Hall of Fame move.

Open till 9 PM right next to Pasadena Sandwich shop on Sierra Madre Villa.


ORANGE. NATURAL. ORGANIC+. 
PORCH. POUNDER.

I’m Gustavo Lira, Tasting Room Manager and Wine Buyer 
at The Bottle Shop in Sierra Madre with another wine and 
spirits selection. 

With the weather heating up, this wine is the perfect thirst 
quencher, and it comes in a liter bottle, so you get 33% more 
than a regular size bottle. You’ll like the extra wine in the 
bottle once you taste this zesty wine. Biddizza translates to 
“beauty” in the local Sicilian dialect.

The 2023 Biddizza (Bid-Deets-Sah) Catarratto is from Sicily. 
It’s a zesty, refreshing, porch (or pool) pounder that comes in 
a liter bottle. Orange wine is white wine that is made with extended contact with the grape skins. 
This gives the wine its orange hue. It’s a dry wine with a little bit of tannins and natural acidity. 

The wine is produced by Tasi, a winery that was started in 2012 
by three friends. Their focus is on producing great wine with 
organic farming practices. The 2023 Biddizza was made with 
certified organic grapes from a vineyard located in Alcamo, a 
town in the northwest portion of Sicily. The blend is 90% Catarratto 
and 10% Zibibbo – two local grapes of Sicily.

You get notes of stone fruit, apricot, herbs, citrus peel, and salinity. 
It has natural acidity and a bright uplifting finish. This 
wine is served chilled. It pairs well with seafood, grilled vegetables, 
and salads. I’d drink it with pizza, sausages, and burgers 
too. Drink it poolside, inside, outside, any damn place where 
you want a thirst-quenching wine. And… you get 33% more in 
a liter bottle!

The 2023 Biddizza Catarratto is available at The Bottle Shop for 
$24.99. Say you saw it in the Mountain Views News and get the 
MVN special price of $22.50. The special price is good through 
April 18th. 

Join me on Saturday, April 12th from noon to 5pm for a special 
Vine & Wine Tasting at The Bottle Shop Tasting Room. I’ll be 
pouring three delicious wines for a $5 tasting fee when you sign 
up for our newsletter. 

Please keep in mind all those who have suffered and are trying 
to rebuild from the Eaton Fire. Visit DenaMadreStrong.com to learn how you can continue to 
help those impacted by the Eaton Fire. 

Until next time – Salud!

Scan the QRCode to sign up for our newsletter. 


Slow-Cooked Lamb 
with Sage and Pearl 
Barley

ALL THINGS 

By Jeff Brown 

INGREDIENTS

1 shoulder of young lamb 

4 carrots 

2 stalks of celery 

4 red onions 

4 splashes olive oil 

3 squashed garlic cloves 

12 sage leaves 

8 peppercorns 

1 1/4 cups red wine 

1 1/4 cups chicken stock 

3/4 cup of pearl barley 

salt 

12 fresh almonds 

freshly ground black pepper 


DIRECTIONS

Trim the fat from 1 shoulder of young lamb. Peel, 
wash, and thinly slice 4 carrots and 2 stalks of celery. 
Peel 4 red onions and cut into small wedges. 

Cook the shoulder of lamb

Preheat the oven to 300°F. Heat a flameproof casserole 
dish with a splash of olive oil and brown the 
shoulder on all sides. Take it out, throw away the 
cooking fat, wipe the casserole dish clean, and put 
it back on the heat with an additional splash of olive 
oil. 

Put in half the vegetables and sweat for 2 to 3 
minutes, stirring. Add 3 squashed garlic cloves, 
12 sage leaves, and 8 peppercorns, mix well, and 
return the shoulder of lamb to the casserole dish. 

Pour in 1 1/4 cups of red wine and reduce by half. 
Then add 1 1/4 cups of chicken stock, cover the 
casserole dish with a lid, and put in the oven for 2 
1/2 hours, basting the shoulder from time to time. 

Take out the casserole dish. Remove the shoulder, 
wrap it in aluminium foil, and keep warm. Keep 
the casserole dish on hand. 

Prepare the pearl barley

Shortly before the end of cooking the lamb, put 
3/4 cup of pearl barley to soak for 10 minutes. 

Heat another casserole dish with a splash of olive 
oil, put in the rest of the vegetables, and cook for 
2 minutes, stirring. Drain the pearl barley and add 
to the vegetables. Stir, season with salt, and cook 
for 1 to 2 minutes. 

Take a ladleful of the cooking liquid from the lamb 
casserole dish and pour it into the barley casserole 
dish. Let it swell with the liquid and cook for 15 to 
18 minutes, adding more of the liquid as and when 
it is absorbed. 

Peel 12 fresh almonds and add them at the end of 
cooking with a splash of olive oil. Stir and check 
the seasoning. 

To finish your dish

Cut the shoulder into large pieces and return 
them to their casserole dish. Add the contents of 
the other casserole dish and a generous twist of 
freshly ground black pepper and serve in the casserole 
dish. 


YOGA’S 

POTENTIAL 

BENEFITS 

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

1. Improves Flexibility – Regular practice helps 
stretch and tone your muscles, gradually increasing 
flexibility.

2. Builds Strength – Many poses require you to support your body weight in new ways, 
building lean muscle.

3. Boosts Balance & Posture – Yoga enhances body awareness, helping you maintain better 
posture and stability.

4. Enhances Breathing – Breathwork improves lung function and oxygen flow.

5. Aids in Pain Relief – Can reduce chronic pain (like back pain or arthritis) through 
gentle movement and strengthening.

6. Improves Heart Health – Reduces blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress, which all 
contribute to better cardiovascular health.

7. Supports Weight Management – While it’s not intense cardio, yoga improves metabolism 
and promotes mindful eating habits.

MENTAL & EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

1. Reduces Stress – Yoga helps lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress.

2. Promotes Mental Clarity – Mindful movement and meditation sharpen focus and 
awareness.

3. Improves Sleep – Helps relax the nervous system, making it easier to fall asleep and 
stay asleep.

4. Boosts Mood – Regular practice is linked to increased serotonin levels and reduced 
anxiety or depression & can help with mental burnout.

5. Encourages Mindfulness – Teaches you to stay present and cultivate a non-judgmental 
attitude toward your thoughts and experiences.

SPIRITUAL & LIFESTYLE BENEFITS

1. Encourages Self-Discovery – Yoga promotes introspection, helping you connect more 
deeply with yourself.

2. Fosters Discipline & Consistency – Committing to a practice can improve your overall 
sense of routine and accountability.

3. Builds a Supportive Community – Classes and group practice create a sense of connection 
and shared growth.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com